With an aim to gain first-hand knowledge of the United Kingdom's legal system, a Kashmiri student has recently bagged a fellowship to study at Queens Mary University in London.
Hasnain Mustafa Khawaja is a law student selected for 'Chevening Scholarship', which enables students with leadership qualities from over 160 countries and territories to undertake postgraduate study or courses in universities in the UK.
These scholarships are readily available every year to students across the globe who wish to study abroad.
Thousands of students from all over the world dream of getting this scholarship and take part in the exam. But only a handful of the lucky ones are able to bag the coveted scholarship after cracking the test.
"I took an entrance exam for law after completing Class 12. I got admission in Kashmir University from where I have completed this five-year graduation course," Khawaja said.
"There was a female student in our university who got this scholarship three years ago. Only then I got to know about this programme," he said.
Apart from the academic qualification, the programme requires two years of work experience. When Khawaja came to know about this requirement, he took part in volunteer work and interned in an NGO.
"To get this scholarship, there is a requirement that anyone who wants to apply for it, the person should have two years of work experience and it could be any volunteer work, internship, part-time or full-time job. So when I came to know about this, I started taking part in volunteer work and did my internship in an NGO," he said.
As it was difficult for Khawaja to believe the award letter which he received through e-mail, he called up the Chevening secretariat and confirmed the letter.
"At first, I did not believe that I got this award letter. So, I called them up and confirmed about the mail. I then shared this news with my family members. As going abroad for studies is a dream for every student, a common student who belongs to a middle-class family cannot afford the expenses. This opportunity is very good for me as I will come back to Kashmir after studying human rights in Queens Mary University," he said.
"I will serve the people here by working for juvenile rights," said the beaming Kashmiri student.
Asif Ali, a friend of Khawaja, expressed his happiness over the news and said it is a proud moment.
"We are very happy and proud that he has got this opportunity. Now he will study in the UK and will come to help people as he is a lawyer. He wants to work for human rights and poor people who cannot afford the high fees of a lawyer," Ali said.
( With inputs from ANI )